The Madison Chapter is committed to bringing women in the accounting profession together in a stimulating environment filled with networking events and valuable continuing education opportunities.

2005-2006 OFFICERS

President – Kathy Chandler, kchandler@deltaenv.com
Vice President - Jennifer Pang, 2cpahome@sbcglobal.net
Treasurer – Teresa Grams, teresa.grams@cunamutual.com
Secretary – Marilyn Huset, marilyn.huset@tdstelecom.com

IN THE NEWS

Got News?
If you have any news to share, reply to this email or email Marilyn Huset at any time (marilyn.huset@tdstelecom.com).

A Change in the Weather, A Change in You?
If you've moved, have a new job, or have made other changes in your status, please notify the AWSCPA national office by updating your listing on the website at www.awscpa.org in the Members Only section or by emailing them at info@awscpa.org.


2003 SCHOLARSHIP NEWS

PAST EVENTS

Below are some of the past speakers and events the Madison Affiliate has sponsored.

Living a Healthier Lifestyle: Reducing Stress, Promoting Vitality & Preventing Disease!

Presenter: Nicole Fenske, Fenske Chiropractic
When: Thursday, November 13, 2003 Registration: 7:30 A.M.
Where: The Radisson Hotel, Breakfast: 8:00 A.M.
517 Grand Canyon Dr, Madison
Presentation: 8:15 A.M. - 9:15 A.M.
Member Cost: $10.00
Non-Member Cost: $13.00

Do you ever wonder how you can reduce stress in your life?
Wonder how you can maintain a hectic but healthy lifestyle?
Do you wonder how you can reduce or prevent yourself from getting diseases?
Wonder if what you are really eating is healthy for you?

Please join American Women's Society of Certified Public Accountants for a morning of networking and information as we welcome Nicole Fenske of Fenske Chiropractic as our guest speaker. Nicole will discuss how simply eatingwell can help us live a healthier lifestyle. We are frequently inundated with conflicting information regarding what it means to eat well. One study promotes eggs for their protein, for example, while another denounces eggs for their cholesterol. This talk will simplify and demystify this topic while providing the tools to make wise food choices that will promote vitality and prevent disease.

Nicole feels there is so much more to healthcare than treating conditions. Fenske Chiropractic strives to be a system of health care, not just disease care. They want to help people promote vitality in their life through healthful lifestyle changes. They look at the whole person, not just the site of the problem. They also provide the services and educational tools that empower people to transform their health and lives.

In additional to being a chiropractor, Nicole is also a nutritionist and owns her own business with her husband, Tim. She loves to share her knowledge with the community and enjoys speaking to women as she focuses on women's healthcare.

We strongly encourage you to bring a guest to hear this fabulous speaker!!

Please R.S.V.P. to Dawn via phone, fax, or email by 12:00 pm noon on November 10th. Checks payable to AWSCPA can be mailed or given to Dawn Fischer at the meeting.
c/o Smith & Gesteland.LLP
P.O. Box 1764
Madison, WI 53701-1764
Phone: 608-836-7500
Fax :608-836-7505
dawn.fischer@sgcpa.com

No cancellations after the registration deadline. No-shows will not be refunded.

"Personal Leadership: Your Innate Wisdom & Power!!"

Nina McGuffin of Equilibrium Coaching, LLC was the presenter at our last meeting. Nina's presentation focused on three areas – 1. Know yourself 2. Be true to yourself 3. Express yourself. Know yourself focuses on knowing who you are and can be accomplished through assessment, taking risks, being willing to fail, discussing yourself with others, reading and writing in a journal. Be true to yourself is understanding who you are, what you want and learning not to take things personally. Express yourself is operating from the soul.

The presentation was an invigorating change from the daily routine and helped us all to get in touch with our essential self. She left us with a list of books that she found useful. I have started to read "Finding Your Own North Star" by Martha Beck and find it to be an enlightening book. Nina's presentation brought spark and hope into our lives and she believes that each of us has innate wisdom and creativity to find a fulfilling and meaningful life.

"Networking: More Than Exchanging Business Cards"

When attending CPE classes, do you sit next to someone you know? If you said "Yes", you are missing a huge networking opportunity, says Joan Gillman. Joan Gillman discussed professional steps and skills to use when networking. In summary, here are a few things to remember:

• "One chance meeting can change your life and theirs" - you never know who you may meet if you are the first to stick out your hand and introduce yourself.
  
• Networking is a two-way process: you need to give something and receive something. Sometimes you need to state your goals specifically and ask for your contact's goals, so you both get what you want out of the relationship.
  
• Set goals before you arrive at a networking event! Do you have a question you need answered? Are you looking for a new hair dresser or maybe a new job? Gather at least three business cards and jot down notes about how these new contacts can assist you with the answers.
  
• Every woman should have a pen and business cards in her pocket; leave your purse at home! Intriguing jewelry is a good conversation starter. Remember, your name tag is placed on the right side.
  
• Be a networking mentor to your children, or promote networking to your younger peers!
  
• Always say "Thank you" and keep in touch with your networking contacts.
  
  

"The Accounting Industry"

Larry Rittenberg, Professor of Accounting at the University of Wisconsin-Madison shared his insights into the accounting industry from an educator's perspective.

Greed, expansion of client services, the structure of the SEC, and a company's board structure and ownership are the primary reasons the accounting industry has been in the news. Public accounting firms are providing very profitable consulting services which have caused professionals to misjudge the importance of basic accounting procedures. Appointed board members are most often friends of management, and in recent years the independent stockholders are the minority participants.

It may take time to create a strong, useful governing board. Be aware, there is powerful lobbying in D.C. presently to mandate four-year accounting programs only around the nation. The voices represent the largest and the smallest public accounting firms.

‘Work and Life: Striving for Balance' – Survey results
from the AICPA Work/Life and
Women's Initiatives Executive Committee

Marilyn Huset presented the history, objectives, and recent survey results of the AICPA committee - Work/Life and Women's Initiatives. The committee was created in 1992 with the objective to promote a work environment that provides opportunity for successful integration of personal and professional lives, and the advancement of women to positions of leadership. Currently, 56% of new graduates entering the accounting profession are female.

A video was presented where professionals, men and women, discuss their opinions and ideas to gain work/life balance. There was group discussion about the following: flexible work arrangements consisting of working earlier mornings, or working longer days to take off every other Friday; however, more companies are restricting flexible schedules and require the 8-5 work day; prioritizing work and family events; how to say "No" to additional projects; addressing balance concerns directly to highest management; and remembering most people regret they did not spend more time with their family but do not state they wish they should have spent more time at the office.

Results from a Public Accounting survey from Year 2000 are:

• Men continue to hold the majority of senior management positions
• Females are being promoted at a higher rate compared to previous years
• Smaller firms employ a higher proportion of females than larger firms
• Firms are offering an increased variety of flexible work schedules
• An increasing number of staff have flexible work arrangements
• Tight deadlines and client demands hinder efforts to achieve work/life balance

NEWSLETTERS

• April/May 2003 (PDF Format)
• February/March 2003 (PDF Format)
• December 2002/January 2003 (PDF Format)
• October/November 2002 (PDF Format)
• August/September 2002 (PDF Format)
  

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Check back... job postings are updated often.

If you would like to become a member of this dynamic chapter, visit the national website www.awscpa.org for an application!